Interesting facts on Malaysia 2015 budget announcement
Friday, October 10, 2014
What Malaysian need to know about Budget 2015
Budget covers issues faced by rakyat
KUALA LUMPUR: The Budget 2015 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Friday outlined key areas that will help alleviate the rakyat’s burden, said tax analyst.
Executive Director KPMG Tax Services Neoh Beng Guan welcomed the budget’s initiatives to help manage cost of living but wants more details on policy implementation be revealed soon, including the scope of goods and services that are not subjected to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) scheduled to be implemented in April.
“This budget covers a wide variety (of initiatives) to cover most of the current issues faced by the rakyat.”
“On GST, two things stood out – the 2,900 medicines or drugs under the expanded zero-rated goods list and GST relief of RON95 petrol. These two will definitely help cushion (the impact of GST) on the rakyat,” said the tax analyst on the Budget 2015 discussion on Astro AWANI.
The government had widened the scope of items that will not be subjected to GST, including 2,900 medicine brands under the National Essential Medicine to treat 30 types of disease such as heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and infertility.
Basic foods items such as food, bread, coffee as well as reading materials like children's coloring books, exercise and reference books, text books, dictionaries, religious books and newspapers are also listed under goods that are not subjected to GST.
However, it was not made clear whether the items will be tax exempted or zero-rated.
“Both have different outcomes,” said Universiti Sains Malaysia Economics Professor Suresh Narayanan from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
“Zero-rated means the suppliers who sell these goods can still claim back the necessary costs of the input tax. Under tax exemption, the commodities won’t be taxed but suppliers will not be able to claim input tax,” he explained.
“If the government wants to do this, the goods should be zero-rated. If it is not, we will still be paying for taxes but just at a lower rate,” he said.
With the implementation of GST, the government is taking measures to reduce the rakyat’s burden by restructuring individual income taxes.
Some 300,000 taxpayers will no longer pay income tax next year as the individual income tax rates will be reduced by 1 to 3 percentage points.
Meanwhile, taxpayers with families and income of RM4,000 per month will be non-taxable.
Individual income tax will also be restructured whereby the chargeable income subject to the maximum rate will be increased from exceeding RM100,000 to exceeding RM400,000. The current maximum tax rate at 26% will be reduced to 24%, 24.5% and 25%.
For year of assessment 2015, the cooperative income tax rate will also be reduced by 1 per cent to 2 per cent and secretarial fees and tax filing fees are allowed as deductions.
For year of assessment 2016, corporate income tax rate will be reduced by 1 per cent from 25 per cent to 24 per cent; and for 2016, the income tax rate for SMEs will also be reduced by 1 per cent from 20 per cent to 19 per cent.
Executive Director KPMG Tax Services Neoh Beng Guan welcomed the budget’s initiatives to help manage cost of living but wants more details on policy implementation be revealed soon, including the scope of goods and services that are not subjected to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) scheduled to be implemented in April.
“This budget covers a wide variety (of initiatives) to cover most of the current issues faced by the rakyat.”
“On GST, two things stood out – the 2,900 medicines or drugs under the expanded zero-rated goods list and GST relief of RON95 petrol. These two will definitely help cushion (the impact of GST) on the rakyat,” said the tax analyst on the Budget 2015 discussion on Astro AWANI.
The government had widened the scope of items that will not be subjected to GST, including 2,900 medicine brands under the National Essential Medicine to treat 30 types of disease such as heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and infertility.
Basic foods items such as food, bread, coffee as well as reading materials like children's coloring books, exercise and reference books, text books, dictionaries, religious books and newspapers are also listed under goods that are not subjected to GST.
However, it was not made clear whether the items will be tax exempted or zero-rated.
“Both have different outcomes,” said Universiti Sains Malaysia Economics Professor Suresh Narayanan from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
“Zero-rated means the suppliers who sell these goods can still claim back the necessary costs of the input tax. Under tax exemption, the commodities won’t be taxed but suppliers will not be able to claim input tax,” he explained.
“If the government wants to do this, the goods should be zero-rated. If it is not, we will still be paying for taxes but just at a lower rate,” he said.
With the implementation of GST, the government is taking measures to reduce the rakyat’s burden by restructuring individual income taxes.
Some 300,000 taxpayers will no longer pay income tax next year as the individual income tax rates will be reduced by 1 to 3 percentage points.
Meanwhile, taxpayers with families and income of RM4,000 per month will be non-taxable.
Individual income tax will also be restructured whereby the chargeable income subject to the maximum rate will be increased from exceeding RM100,000 to exceeding RM400,000. The current maximum tax rate at 26% will be reduced to 24%, 24.5% and 25%.
For year of assessment 2015, the cooperative income tax rate will also be reduced by 1 per cent to 2 per cent and secretarial fees and tax filing fees are allowed as deductions.
For year of assessment 2016, corporate income tax rate will be reduced by 1 per cent from 25 per cent to 24 per cent; and for 2016, the income tax rate for SMEs will also be reduced by 1 per cent from 20 per cent to 19 per cent.
source:http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/budget-covers-issues-faced-by-rakyat-tax-analyst-45796
Shares of CIMB Group, MBSB & RHB Capital suspended Thursday 9th October 2014
KUALA LUMPUR: Shares of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (CIMB Group), Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) and RHB Capital Bhd will be suspended on Thursday pending a material announcement.
In a filing to Bursa, MBSB and CIMB Group said Bursa Malaysia has approved the companies' request for suspension.
In July, the three parties announced approval from Bank Negara to commence discussions for the merger of the businesses of RHB and CIMB Group and the creation of an enlarged banking franchise with MBSB.
Following this, the three parties entered into a 90-day exclusivity agreement to negotiate and finalise pricing, structure and other relevant terms and conditions for a proposed merger of the three parties and the creation of a mega Islamic bank.
In a filing to Bursa, MBSB and CIMB Group said Bursa Malaysia has approved the companies' request for suspension.
In July, the three parties announced approval from Bank Negara to commence discussions for the merger of the businesses of RHB and CIMB Group and the creation of an enlarged banking franchise with MBSB.
Following this, the three parties entered into a 90-day exclusivity agreement to negotiate and finalise pricing, structure and other relevant terms and conditions for a proposed merger of the three parties and the creation of a mega Islamic bank.
Source:http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/shares-of-cimb-group-mbsb-rhb-capital-to-be-suspended-thursday-45599
CIMB, RHB Capital and MBSB seek approval from Bank Negara for merger
KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, RHB Capital Bhd and Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) today announced that an application has been made to Bank Negara Malaysia to seek approval for its proposed three-way merger.
The merger will see a share swap between CIMB Group and RHB Capital at an exchange ratio of 1.38 (one RHB Capital share for 1.38 CIMB Group share).
This is based on a benchmark price of RM7.27 per CIMB Group share and RM10.03 per RHB Capital share, according to joint statement by CIMB Group, RHB Capital and MBSB.
CIMB Group shareholders will own 70 per cent of the merged CIMB-RHB Group and RHB Capital shareholders the remaining 30 per cent.
In tandem, CIMB Islamic, RHB Islamic and MBSB would merge to form a mega Islamic bank.
This would be done at a price of RM2.82 per MBSB share, and MBSB shareholders would have the option of receiving cash or CIMB Islamic shares as consideration.
It is envisaged that the newly-created mega Islamic bank would remain a subsidiary of the merged CIMB-RHB in partnership with ex-MBSB and/or new strategic shareholders.
According to the statement, the deal is expected to complete in mid-2015.
The parties would now move towards the due diligence process in view of signing a definitive sale and purchase agreements (SPA) in early 2015.
Following the SPA, consent of other regulators and shareholders will be sought.
The merged entity would be a major Asean financial powerhouse and a mega Islamic bank.
Shares of CIMB Group, MBSB and RHB Capital, which were suspended today were last traded at RM6.98, RM2.37 and RM8.70, respectively.
CIMB Group's acting group chief executive, Datuk Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, said the exercise will cement CIMB Group's position among the top banks in Asean and bring a host of value creation opportunities for its stakeholders.
"We are excited that we can now move forward and work towards seeking the necessary approvals to effect this merger," he said.
RHB Capital group managing director, Kellee Kam, said the merger will enable the bank to become a regional financial powerhouse via the merged entity.
"The task ahead for us now is to ensure that we meet all the expectations of our stakeholders, thereby creating new opportunities for our employees, enhanced services and product offerings for our customers, and increasing returns and value for our shareholders," Kam said.
President/chief executive officer of MBSB, Datuk Ahmad Zaini Othman, said the strategic rationale for the merger and the subsequent creation of a mega Islamic bank is clear and MBSB is focused on getting this to the finish line.
"This move charts another significant milestone in the history of MBSB since its inception and we are happy to be part of this corporate exercise," he said.
The merger will see a share swap between CIMB Group and RHB Capital at an exchange ratio of 1.38 (one RHB Capital share for 1.38 CIMB Group share).
This is based on a benchmark price of RM7.27 per CIMB Group share and RM10.03 per RHB Capital share, according to joint statement by CIMB Group, RHB Capital and MBSB.
CIMB Group shareholders will own 70 per cent of the merged CIMB-RHB Group and RHB Capital shareholders the remaining 30 per cent.
In tandem, CIMB Islamic, RHB Islamic and MBSB would merge to form a mega Islamic bank.
This would be done at a price of RM2.82 per MBSB share, and MBSB shareholders would have the option of receiving cash or CIMB Islamic shares as consideration.
It is envisaged that the newly-created mega Islamic bank would remain a subsidiary of the merged CIMB-RHB in partnership with ex-MBSB and/or new strategic shareholders.
According to the statement, the deal is expected to complete in mid-2015.
The parties would now move towards the due diligence process in view of signing a definitive sale and purchase agreements (SPA) in early 2015.
Following the SPA, consent of other regulators and shareholders will be sought.
The merged entity would be a major Asean financial powerhouse and a mega Islamic bank.
Shares of CIMB Group, MBSB and RHB Capital, which were suspended today were last traded at RM6.98, RM2.37 and RM8.70, respectively.
CIMB Group's acting group chief executive, Datuk Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, said the exercise will cement CIMB Group's position among the top banks in Asean and bring a host of value creation opportunities for its stakeholders.
"We are excited that we can now move forward and work towards seeking the necessary approvals to effect this merger," he said.
RHB Capital group managing director, Kellee Kam, said the merger will enable the bank to become a regional financial powerhouse via the merged entity.
"The task ahead for us now is to ensure that we meet all the expectations of our stakeholders, thereby creating new opportunities for our employees, enhanced services and product offerings for our customers, and increasing returns and value for our shareholders," Kam said.
President/chief executive officer of MBSB, Datuk Ahmad Zaini Othman, said the strategic rationale for the merger and the subsequent creation of a mega Islamic bank is clear and MBSB is focused on getting this to the finish line.
"This move charts another significant milestone in the history of MBSB since its inception and we are happy to be part of this corporate exercise," he said.
Source: http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/cimb-rhb-capital-and-mbsb-seek-approval-from-bank-negara-for-three-way-merger-45664
PTPTN proposal to list loan defaulters in CCRIS is not a punishment
The National Higher Education Fund Corporation's (PTPTN) proposal to list the names of loan defaulters in the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) is to educate rather than punish.
Its senior general manager, Tuan Din Tuan Mat said that the move could prompt the borrowers to better manage their finance.
"We hope that the borrowers who have problem with repayment to negotiate the payment mechanism," he said when contacted here, today.
Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said 170,000 PTPTN borrowers are given the opportunity to negotiate their method of repayment before their names are listed in CCRIS.
When implemented, the borrowers are given three months to negotiate and make payment before their names are listed in CCRIS, he said in Putrajaya today.
Its senior general manager, Tuan Din Tuan Mat said that the move could prompt the borrowers to better manage their finance.
"We hope that the borrowers who have problem with repayment to negotiate the payment mechanism," he said when contacted here, today.
Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said 170,000 PTPTN borrowers are given the opportunity to negotiate their method of repayment before their names are listed in CCRIS.
When implemented, the borrowers are given three months to negotiate and make payment before their names are listed in CCRIS, he said in Putrajaya today.
Source:http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/ptptn-proposal-to-list-loan-defaulters-in-ccris-no-punishment-45693
Malaysia Budget 2015: What to expect?
KUALA LUMPUR: Each year, the well-being of the people remains a focus in the tabling of the budget and the government takes into account many initiatives and guidelines to meet the needs and challenges faced by Malaysians.
But, despite the effort, many still feel the ‘distance’ between execution and implementation of the policies and initiatives.
The hopes and aspirations are then voiced through various channels in order for it to be given the right attention.
The uncertainty about their financial power especially with the upcoming introduction of the Goods and Services tax (GST) and the fuel subsidy cut remains a concern among the public.
In view of this situation, Malaysians still expect a well-balanced adjustments.
Based on the many surveys conducted, employment, property ownership, cost of living, education and social welfare remain a priority among Malaysians.
Cost of Living: Government should monitor and punish those taking advantage of the RON95 and diesel subsidy cut and to use it as an excuse to increase goods prices.
Employment opportunities: The services sector such as oil and gas, maintenance, repair and restoration, creative design services, electrical manufacturing and information and communications services should be the focus as it is able to produce a higher return to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Property ownership: To increase the development of affordable housing (PR1MA) to benefit the urbanites. To control the construction costs without compromising on quality.
To decrease the stamp duty for properties built for the lower and middle-class Malaysians.
BR1M: To change the eligibility of BR1M recipients to those with a household income of RM5000 as compared to a total household income of RM3000 to RM4000 in 2014.
Education: Investing in the professional teaching force and infrastructure projects will benefit the education sector in the future. Also, financial assistance for students to buy books and basic necessities for their studies.
Youth: To create a financial assistance scheme for graduates and youth to create a business as a source of income.
Social welfare: Economist Prof Amir Baharuddin said the government should not ignore the disabled and elderly. The government is expected to increase the allocations for the disabled by providing job opportunities and also access to healthcare for the elderly.
Middle Class: Middle class Malaysians may complain that they are not eligible for BR1M but are burdened by the increased cost of living. The middle-income group is hoping for a token to accommodate to the fuel price hike and also hoping for a decrease in the personal income tax rate
But, despite the effort, many still feel the ‘distance’ between execution and implementation of the policies and initiatives.
The hopes and aspirations are then voiced through various channels in order for it to be given the right attention.
The uncertainty about their financial power especially with the upcoming introduction of the Goods and Services tax (GST) and the fuel subsidy cut remains a concern among the public.
In view of this situation, Malaysians still expect a well-balanced adjustments.
Based on the many surveys conducted, employment, property ownership, cost of living, education and social welfare remain a priority among Malaysians.
Cost of Living: Government should monitor and punish those taking advantage of the RON95 and diesel subsidy cut and to use it as an excuse to increase goods prices.
Employment opportunities: The services sector such as oil and gas, maintenance, repair and restoration, creative design services, electrical manufacturing and information and communications services should be the focus as it is able to produce a higher return to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Property ownership: To increase the development of affordable housing (PR1MA) to benefit the urbanites. To control the construction costs without compromising on quality.
To decrease the stamp duty for properties built for the lower and middle-class Malaysians.
BR1M: To change the eligibility of BR1M recipients to those with a household income of RM5000 as compared to a total household income of RM3000 to RM4000 in 2014.
Education: Investing in the professional teaching force and infrastructure projects will benefit the education sector in the future. Also, financial assistance for students to buy books and basic necessities for their studies.
Youth: To create a financial assistance scheme for graduates and youth to create a business as a source of income.
Social welfare: Economist Prof Amir Baharuddin said the government should not ignore the disabled and elderly. The government is expected to increase the allocations for the disabled by providing job opportunities and also access to healthcare for the elderly.
Middle Class: Middle class Malaysians may complain that they are not eligible for BR1M but are burdened by the increased cost of living. The middle-income group is hoping for a token to accommodate to the fuel price hike and also hoping for a decrease in the personal income tax rate
Najib Tun Razak tables 2015 Budget with style
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tabled the 2015 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat at 4.07pm, the last budget under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).
Like other financial blueprints, Najib who is also Finance Minister, hinted yesterday that the 2015 Budget would be "pro-rakyat" and would include measures to ease concerns over the cost of living.
Among others, the budget would help enhance job opportunities, improve education and create more affordable housing, he said in a statement on Thursday.
The prime minister has also underlined the importance of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme.
"BR1M will continue as it is part of our manifesto. It is part of our subsidy rationalisation.
"By switching from blanket subsidies to more targeted support, we are getting better value for money," he added.
The premier also stressed the importance of continuing the government’s deficit reduction measures to ensure the country achieved a balanced budget by 2020.
Najib added the government was on track to meet its fiscal deficit targets which included reducing the deficit to 3.5 per cent by year-end and three per cent by end-2015.
In the effort to help the people, the government proposed to reduce the individual income tax rate by one to three percentage points, thus exempting 300,000 people from having to pay income tax for year of assessment 2015.
Furthermore, households earning RM4,000 a month are no longer required to pay income tax.
From April next year, the government is to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST), but people who use RON95 petrol, diesel and LPG can heave a sigh of relief as these fuels are exempted from the tax.
Contrary to the assumption that GST will trigger an increase in the prices of all goods, Budget 2015 proposed to have a reduction of up to 4.1 per cent in the prices of 532 items or 56 per cent of the 944 goods and services in the basket of goods of the CPI.
Among these goods are medicines, electrical appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, textile products, plastic products such as pails and plates, shoes and slippers, household furniture, baby diapers, soap, meat, chicken eggs, cooking oil, seafood, rice and vegetables.
In addition, the government had also agreed that electricity consumption that is not subject to GST be increased from the first 200 units to 300 units. This will benefit 70 per cent of households.
Like other financial blueprints, Najib who is also Finance Minister, hinted yesterday that the 2015 Budget would be "pro-rakyat" and would include measures to ease concerns over the cost of living.
Among others, the budget would help enhance job opportunities, improve education and create more affordable housing, he said in a statement on Thursday.
The prime minister has also underlined the importance of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme.
"BR1M will continue as it is part of our manifesto. It is part of our subsidy rationalisation.
"By switching from blanket subsidies to more targeted support, we are getting better value for money," he added.
The premier also stressed the importance of continuing the government’s deficit reduction measures to ensure the country achieved a balanced budget by 2020.
Najib added the government was on track to meet its fiscal deficit targets which included reducing the deficit to 3.5 per cent by year-end and three per cent by end-2015.
In the effort to help the people, the government proposed to reduce the individual income tax rate by one to three percentage points, thus exempting 300,000 people from having to pay income tax for year of assessment 2015.
Furthermore, households earning RM4,000 a month are no longer required to pay income tax.
From April next year, the government is to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST), but people who use RON95 petrol, diesel and LPG can heave a sigh of relief as these fuels are exempted from the tax.
Contrary to the assumption that GST will trigger an increase in the prices of all goods, Budget 2015 proposed to have a reduction of up to 4.1 per cent in the prices of 532 items or 56 per cent of the 944 goods and services in the basket of goods of the CPI.
Among these goods are medicines, electrical appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, textile products, plastic products such as pails and plates, shoes and slippers, household furniture, baby diapers, soap, meat, chicken eggs, cooking oil, seafood, rice and vegetables.
In addition, the government had also agreed that electricity consumption that is not subject to GST be increased from the first 200 units to 300 units. This will benefit 70 per cent of households.
Source:http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/pm-najib-tables-2015-budget-45744
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